However, in releasing the financial figures regarding the case on Wednesday, it said there "was never any danger that Ukad would become insolvent".

'Our legal decisions are not made for financial reasons'

Chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: "The money spent by UK Anti-Doping in the Fury case shows that if we determine there is evidence of doping, we will pursue a case against an athlete, coach or doctor, regardless of their public profile or status.

"In this case, two anti-doping rule violations were upheld and two-year bans given to each athlete."

She said Ukad is "always careful about how we spend public money" and that "legal decisions are made for the right reasons and not financial ones".

The £577,000 Ukad spent on legal fees is more than 7% of its annual budget, although it does not include the cost of hours spent working on the case by members of staff.

It is currently recovering £250,000 through its insurers.

As the costs have been accounted for, they will not affect Ukad's recent funding increase.